SCAM / FRAUD NOTICE

It has been brought to our attention that a scam by email is being circulated fraudently using the ICB address or brand in an attempt to legitimise schemes concerning transfers of large sums of money.

WHAT ARE TYPICAL SCAMS

The scammers usually contact you by email or letter and offer you a share in a large sum of money that they want to transfer out of their country.

Scammers ask you to pay money or give them your bank account details to help them transfer the money. You are then asked to pay fees, charges or taxes to help release or transfer the money out of the country through your bank. If paid, the scammers make up new fees that require payment before you can receive your “reward”. They will keep making up these excuses until they think they have got all the money they can out of you.

All sorts of documents will be sent to you to make the scheme appear “real”.

You will never be sent the money that was promised.

HOW TO SPOT A SCAM

• You receive an offer out of the blue to “help” someone from another country transfer their money out of their country.
  
• The offer sets out a long and sad story about why the money cannot be transferred by the scammer. This usually involves an inheritance or profits from natural resources that the scammer might say they are trying to protect from taxes or a corrupt government.
  
• You are offered a percentage of the total amount transferred in return for your assistance.
  
• The amount of money to be transferred and the payment that the scammer promises to you if you help is usually very large.
• The email or letter is in very polite, broken English.

HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF

• If it looks too good to be true – it probably is. Remember there are no get-rich-quick schemes: the only people who make money are the scammers.
  
• Do not let anyone pressure you into making decisions about money or investments: always get independent financial advice.
  
• Do not open suspicious or unsolicited emails (spam): delete them.
  
• Never reply to a spam mail (even to unsubscribe).
  
• Never send your personal, credit card or online account details through an email.
  
• Money laundering is a criminal offence: do not agree to transfer money for someone else.
  
• Never provide sensitive account or personal information in response to an email.